School of Psychology

Doctorate inClinical Psychology

Selection Procedures: Guide for Applicants

Closing date: Wednesday 17 January 2018 at 4.00pm

Contents Page

Section One: Welcome 2

Section Two: How to Apply 3

Section Three: Entry Requirements 3

Section Four: Competencies 4

Section Five: General Information 5

Section Six: Selection Process 7

Section Seven: Completing Your Application 10

Section Eight: Checklist 13

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Applicants should read the following notes carefully before completing their form. Please see checklist at the end of this guide.

Unfortunately, we are unable respond to any requests as to the suitability of your existing or planned qualifications; courses of study; or relevant experience prior to the submission of your application.

Section One: WelcomeWe invite you to read the following information and hope that you find it helpful. We look forward to receiving your application for 2018 D.Clin.Psych. at Queen’s University, Belfast.

We receive a large number of very high quality applications to the programme each year – around 220 in total. Not all applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be successful in gaining an interview. We have updated our application form and shortlisting criteria for 2018 and you may find that whilst you have previously been successful in being offered an interview, your application for 2018 entry may not meet the updated shortlisting criteria.

This is a three-year full time course leading to a professional qualification in Clinical Psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for Chartered Status and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for training clinical psychologists. It is expected that at least eleven successful applicants will be offered trainee clinical psychologist salaries with an expectation that the successful applicants will remain in employment within Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland (HSC), if so required, for a period of at least two years following successful completion of the course. Additional places may be offered to applicants with funding from other sources, including international applicants. The course is based in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University, Belfast and placements are undertaken in a variety of clinical settings throughout Northern Ireland.

Details on content and structure are summarised in the current programme specification available at the Queen’s University web page: http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicStudentAffairs/AcademicAffairs/ProgrammeSpecifications/2017/pgt/detail/?org=SBS&plan=PSY-DCL-CP

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Section Two: How to ApplyApplications are made through the Postgraduate Applications Portal. The notes in this document relate specifically to applying to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course and therefore should be followed closely whilst completing your online application.

Please see section 7 of this document for step by step instructions on completing the online application. The Postgraduate Applications Portal is available on the Queen’s University web page:https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php

Section Three: Entry RequirementsQualificationsApplicants must possess, or expect to possess by admission to the course, at least a second class honours degree first division (2:1) or equivalent acceptable qualification, which has been accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Applicants with less than a 2.1 degree may apply if they also possess a higher degree (e.g. Master’s or PhD or equivalent acceptable qualification) with distinct relevance to clinical psychology. In addition, we accept applications from those who have at least a second class honours degree first division (2:1) or equivalent acceptable qualification in a first degree other than psychology but who expect to complete, by the time of admission to the course, a qualification that confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society.

Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)In order to be eligible to become a chartered psychologist on completing the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, all applicants must have a qualification in psychology which is recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Please see section 7 of this document for acceptable evidence. You must provide evidence that your degree confers GBC. Applicants with qualifications from overseas etc., or where GBC is uncertain should contact the BPS, St Andrew’s House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7DR. Tel. 0116 254 9568.https://beta.bps.org.uk/public/become-psychologist

Right to workIn applying for this course you are agreeing that you have the right to work in the UK. We will provide further information for international applicants on our webpage in due course.

English Language RequirementApplicants whose first language is not English or whose previous education and examination qualifications have not been in the English language will need to provide evidence of English language proficiency i.e. an IELTS academic overall score of 7.0 with minimum of 6.5 in all four elements of the test or TOEFL iBT (internet based test) 95 with minimum of 23 in Listening, 21 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 23 in Writing.

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Section Four: Demonstrating competencies The aim of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is to train Reflective Scientist Practitioners across four main domains of competence. These include Academic, Research, Clinical and Professional/Personal competencies. Applicants are expected to demonstrate these competencies in their application.

Strong applicants will provide evidence of other academic achievements, for example, completion of a higher degree and research outputs such as publications, conference presentations or grant applications. Throughout your application, you should aim to relate your academic and research experience to clinical practice including your understanding of psychological theory and how it related to clinical practice as well as critical appraisal and evidenced-based practice.

Relevant experience can include supervised practice by a clinical psychologist, other psychologist or healthcare professional such as nursing or social work. Experience in relevant community and voluntary settings will also be considered. A broad range and amount of clinically relevant experience is advantageous but it is important to show how this relates to clinical psychology training and the work of a clinical psychologist.

Demonstrating your interpersonal communication skills is required as it is an advantage to evidence how you can work as part of a team as well as cultivate good working relationships with others. It is helpful to show how you can meet the demands of combining academic and clinical practice work.

Strong applicants will be able to provide a knowledge and understanding of the professional context of clinical psychology including professional issues and ethics. In addition, demonstrating your knowledge of the NHS and the role of clinical psychology in Northern Ireland is an advantage.

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Section Five: General InformationFundingThis application is for both a place on the course and for funding.

We expect to have at least eleven places on the course for September 2018 entry. These are centrally funded by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. ONE APPLICATION covers both the application for a place on the course as well as for central funding.

In accepting a funded place, there is an expectation that successful applicants will remain in employment within Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland (HSC), if so required, for a period of at least two years following successful completion of the course.

Selected applicants are recommended to the Business Services Organisation of the Health Service for appointment as trainee clinical psychologists, onto Band 6 of Agenda for Change pay-scales. The minimum salary is £26,041 pa (Band 6 – 2017 figures). They are appointed for one calendar year in the first instance with contracts renewable each year, conditional on satisfactory progress in training. Trainees will be reimbursed for miles travelled in the performance of their duties while on placement which are in excess of the home to base (the university). Current mileage rates are 56p per mile (for annual mileage up to 3,500 miles) and 20p per mile (for annual mileage over 3,500 miles). Agenda for Change terms and conditions apply to reimbursement of expenses associated with undertaking duties while on placement.

An applicant may wish to be considered for a place on the course with funding from other sources, including self-funding. Such an applicant must;

go through the same selection process as other applicants and be placed on a reserve list if not selected for one of the places funded by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

satisfy the selectors that sufficient funds are available to meet the high costs involved in the three years of training. If funds are insufficient, financial difficulties would make the successful completion of the course unlikely.

It should be emphasised that there is no guarantee that the course will be able to accommodate applicants with alternative sources of funding. Decisions are made on this possibility based on the availability of resources, and will be made prior to interview dates. Details of postgraduate fees are available on the Queen’s University web page:http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/PostgraduateStudy/TuitionFees/

RefereesTwo references will be sought for all applicants as part of the application process.

You should provide a referee who can comment on your academic ability (academic referee).

You should provide a referee who can comment on your current/most recent employment (paid or unpaid).

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You must provide one of each. People who have known you only personally (e.g. family friends) or in the distant past (e.g. schoolteachers) are not usually suitable.

Equal OpportunitiesThe University’s Equality and Diversity Policy may be found at the web page below:

https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/DiversityandInclusionUnit/PoliciesandProcedures/EqualityandDiversityPolicy/

Every effort will be made to make reasonable adjustments to training requirements for those successful applicants who have a disability which may impact on training.

ConvictionsAll applicants are asked to declare any convictions. An enhanced police check will be carried out by Access NI on successful applicants. Please see section 6 of this document for further details. A discrepancy between what has been declared and the subsequent police check could be grounds for non-appointment. When an applicant declares a conviction this does not automatically mean that they will not be appointed. A judgment, taking into account the nature and context of the offense and our duty to protect the public, will be made by the selection panel. In general, we would not consider an applicant suitable if they have a conviction or caution for any crime against children or vulnerable adults.

The following list of cautions or offenses may also be grounds for non-appointment:

violence abuse sexual misconduct supplying drugs illegally child pornography offenses involving dishonesty offenses for which a prison sentence is received

This is not an exhaustive list and all convictions and cautions will be carefully considered by the panel and risks to the public considered.

Applicants with convictions should also note that it is a requirement of HCPC to declare all convictions when applying to join the register of clinical psychologists (after completion of the course). HCPC make an independent judgement regarding an applicant’s suitability.

Travel and DrivingThe successful applicant must hold a full current driving license (valid in the UK) and have access to a car at the closing date or have ** access to a form of transport which will permit the applicant to carry out the duties of the post in full. (** this relates only to any person who has declared that they have a disability, which debars them from driving).

Deferred Entry

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There is currently no discretion for deferred entry except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness). If you are offered a place and do not take it up, you will normally be expected to re-apply the following year.

Appeals and ComplaintsThe Postgraduate Admissions Policy can be found at the Queen’s University web page:https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/MRCI/admissions/FileStore/Filetoupload,780733,en.pdfThe Appeals and Complaints Procedure can be found at Appendix 4.

ConfidentialityIn completing the application, applicants should be mindful of their duty of confidentiality to their clients in line with British Psychological Society guidelines.

Data ControllerThe personal information provided by applicants will be used for the following purposes:

To enable your application for entry to be considered; To enable the University to initiate your student record should you be accepted; To compile statistics for use by the University or for reporting to relevant

Government agencies and departments e.g. the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), but no information that will identify you as an individual.

Your personal information will be managed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and its successor legislation. The University administers its obligations under this legislation in accordance with its Data Protection Policy. 

False InformationWhen you submit your application you are confirming that the information provided is correct and complete. If the selection panel believes that false information has been given or if misrepresentation has been made in your application or references, we reserve the right to take whatever steps necessary to check the authenticity of the application. The panel also reserves the right to request further details on any aspect of the application. Fraud is a very serious offence and where detected the panel reserve the right to disclose such details to outside agencies (e.g. the police).

Section Six: Selection ProcessShortlistingApplications are assessed to determine whether the applicant meets the normal entry requirements as outlined in section 3. Those who do not meet this requirement will not be shortlisted. They are then rated by panel members on the competencies described in section 4. On the basis of the combined panel ratings, a shortlist of applicants for interview is drawn up.

The Postgraduate Admissions Portal will close at 4.00pm on the closing date. Incomplete applications will be considered invalid, processed as withdrawn and will not be seen by the

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shortlisting panel. For example, applications which do not include transcripts, confirmation of GBC, have a completed supplementary form or do not include details of two referees.

Approximately 220 applications are received each year. Following shortlisting you will receive an email inviting you to interview stage one OR a letter confirming that you have not been shortlisted. You will receive notification of the outcome of shortlisting within seven weeks of the closing date.

Shortlisted applicants who declare a disability will be contacted by the course administrator to determine if any special arrangements should be put in place during the interview process. Applicants can arrange to see a Disability Officer should they wish to discuss their particular arrangements.

Interview Stage OneThis will be an individual interview conducted by a panel made up of members from the course delivery team and clinical psychology services (4-5 people). The focus here is on academic and research competencies. Thirty minutes prior to the interview, each applicant will be given a research task to work on and present to the panel. The stage one panel interview will last approximately 35-40 minutes. Provisional dates: weeks commencing Monday 12 March and Monday 19 March 2018.

Following interview stage one, applicants will receive an email inviting them to attend interview stage two OR a letter confirming that they have not been successful. Applicants will receive notification of the outcome within four weeks of the interview.

Interview Stage TwoThis will be an individual interview conducted by a panel made up of members from the course team and clinical psychology services (4-5 people). The focus here is on clinical and professional/personal competencies. The stage two panel interview will last approximately 30 minutes. In addition, there will be a group interview conducted by a course delivery team member, a participation user and a practising clinical psychologist. The group interview will last 30-40 minutes. Provisional dates: week commencing Monday 23 April 2018.

Following interview stage two, successful applicants will receive a letter offering a place on the course. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified by letter.

A reserve list is drawn up of applicants who have not been offered places funded by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety but who are nevertheless deemed suitable for the course. A reserve applicant may be offered a place if one of the original offers is turned down, if the number of funded places is increased, or if the reserve applicant can produce satisfactory evidence of funding from other sources and the course is able to accommodate this.

If you are placed on the reserve list, you will be informed by email.

Feedback from ApplicantsApplicants shortlisted for interview will be asked to complete assessment feedback forms on the day. These are important to us to assess the quality of our selection processes. You can submit

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these anonymously and your feedback is not seen by the interviewing panels and forms no part of our assessment of you.

Successful Applicants – What Happens Next?Successful applicants will be subject to appointment and secondment by the Business Services Organisation (BSO) as a trainee clinical psychologist.

It is an expectation of the training contract that successful applicants will remain in employment within Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland (HSC), if so required, for a period of at least two years following successful completion of the course.

An enhanced police check will be carried out by Access NI on successful applicants. The cost of this check is born by the applicants (£30). This currently lasts for the entire 3 years of the course. Occasionally, organisations outside the NHS in Northern Ireland may request a further check be carried out before the start of any placement. The cost of these checks is born by the organisation or by the course.

Successful applicants will also have to undertake a pre-employment medical assessment organised by the Business Services Organisation (BSO) prior to appointment. This is to ensure that successful applicants are medically capable of the role of a trainee clinical psychologist. This medical judgement is based on numerous factors such as present mental and physical state and health history. This health assessment includes an examination by a member of occupational health staff and a health questionnaire to be completed by the applicant. Applicants with disabilities should note that the course is committed to making any reasonable adjustments that are possible in order to facilitate the employment of those applicants. Occupational Health may consider that further investigations are necessary before an applicant starts the course. Depending on the time needed for these investigations we cannot guarantee that the individual can meet course requirements during the 3 year funded period.

Prior to commencing any placement, successful applicants are required to purchase their own professional indemnity insurance. We require this to be renewed annually. While the cost of this insurance varies between companies and fluctuates from year to year; it is approximately £50 - £60. The trainee is responsible for this cost.

Feedback to Unsuccessful Applicants Following InterviewUnsuccessful and reserve placed applicants will be offered a detailed general written feedback report produced jointly by the panel members. However, the selection panel is unable to enter into written or protracted correspondence with unsuccessful applicants.

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Section Seven: Completing Your ApplicationThe Postgraduate Admissions Portal will close at 4.00pm on the closing date. Incomplete applications will be considered as invalid, processed as withdrawn and will not be seen by the shortlisting panel. For example, applications which do not include transcripts, confirmation of GBC, a completed supplementary form or do not include details of two referees.

The notes in this document relate specifically to applying to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course and therefore should be followed closely whilst completing your online application. The instructions below relate to two key sections in the portal, my details and my applications.

Access the Postgraduate Applications Portal through the Queen’s University web page:http s://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php

Please register on the application portal as instructed.

MY DETAILS

Personal DetailsPlease complete all fields.

Address DetailsPlease complete all fields.

Other Information:Disability / Special Needs / Medical ConditionPlease complete fields as directed on application portal.

PublicityPlease complete as directed on application portal.

Criminal RecordPlease complete as directed on application portal.

Experience:Secondary Level / High School ExperiencePlease complete as directed on application portal.

University (Undergraduate / Postgraduate) / Professional ExperienceApplicants must tick all three boxes if appropriate and complete academic details as instructed.

Please note that for this programme, all applicants are required to enter all module marks.

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Professional QualificationPlease enter any professional qualifications if relevant.

Employment ExperiencePlease complete as directed on application portal. Under ‘post held’ please indicate whether paid or unpaid along with post title.

Previous Research / Publications / Experimental / Technical ExperiencePlease complete as directed on application portal

Those who have undertaken previous research, been published or possess other relevant technical / experimental experience should provide brief details. 500 characters

Supplementary FormAs directed on the portal, please complete and upload the supplementary application form provided. This comprises two mandatory questions plus an optional equal opportunities questionnaire.

Documents:English Language BackgroundPlease complete if appropriate.

School Certificates, University Transcripts and Evidence of GBC.All applicants (whether UK/ROI or outside) must upload the following as one file.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree transcriptsAND

Evidence that your undergraduate degree has been accredited by the BPS as conferring the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.

Acceptable evidence is: A letter from the BPS or alternately go to the BPS website using the link https://beta.bps.org.uk/public/become-psychologistSearch for your university and print the page confirming eligibility of your degree.

Upload your transcripts and evidence as one file.

MY APPLICATIONS

Select Type of StudyApplication Type – select Postgraduate ResearchSelect Course - PsychologySelect Degree - Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Postgraduate Research Applications

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TitlePlease enter ‘Doctorate in Clinical Psychology’.

Supervisor Please leave blank.

Attendance ModeSelect full time. This course is not offered as part time.

Start DateEnter September 2018The course will begin week commencing Monday 17 September 2018.

Additional InformationPlease tell us what you hope to gain from completing the course. Maximum of 500 characters.

Supplementary FormSee notes above.

Referee DetailsPlease provide the email, name, address and telephone details for two referees. Please ensure this information is current and accurate.

You should provide a referee who can comment on your academic ability (academic referee).

You should provide a referee who can comment on your current or most recent employment (paid or unpaid)

You must provide one of each. People who have known you only personally (e.g. family friends) or in the distant past (e.g. schoolteachers) are not usually suitable.

Please advise your referees in advance of submitting your application that they will be contacted by email to request a reference.

Funding:AvailabilityWhen asked if you are applying for Queen’s Research Awards, please select No.

Funding your studiesIn the box which asks where your funding will come from, please enter Department of Health. This application is for both a place on the course and for health service funding.

If you are willing to self-fund, please indicate this. Normal selection requirements apply as described on section 5 above.

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Section Eight: Checklist Have you uploaded the completed supplementary application form as one file?

Have you also uploaded full UG and PG Transcripts together with evidence that your degree confers eligibility for GBC as one file?The preferred option is that you upload your transcripts / GBC evidence. However, if you need to post / email this material, it must be received by the closing date.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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